Before starting your search for a time sheet, invoicing and project cost management system, several requirements must be established to help you narrow the choices down and make sure you look for what you really need.

Besides the software’s features and pricing, several other criteria should be included in evaluating solutions: usability, scalability, customer service, etc.

Twelve questions you should answer before choosing a time management solution

1. Do I only need a simple time sheet and expense report application, or a centralized, integrated solution?
2. How reliable is my current time sheet and expense report system? How do I control my projects’ profitability?
3. Should the solution allow for project management and project budget control?
4. Should the solution allow complex projet structures, with phases and sub-tasks?
5. Should the solution allow for setting budgets at the task level within a project?
6. Should the solution allow for both billable and non-billable items, should it support cost and sell rates?
7. How flexible should the software be when it comes to rates? Should it allow special rate per project, per task, per employee, per time period, per role?
8. Should the solution integrate with your accounting system and payroll?
9. Which reports will you need to manage your projects? Can the solution provide those reports?
10. Can your invoice formats be reproduced within the solution?
11. How closely should your software vendor work with you? How will you add/remove licences, customize reports and invoices?
12. Will you need a web-based interface to log time and expenses?